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Class bY,5^<\5_ 
Book J^"3/\5_ 



LETTER 



TO 1 31 £ 



CORPORATION 



TRINITY-CHURCH, 
N E W- T R K; 

ACCOMPANIED WITH CQV1E;} 

OP SUNDRY PAPERS AND DOCUMENT. 

RELATIVE TO THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

At H U D S N i— 



By the late RECTOR o? that Church. 



.<*\*\/s^./%/\y^N/%/\y\/s/\r./\/\/ , \/\^w 



t; What is this World? thy School, 0. Misery ! 

" Our only Lesson is to learn to suffer ; 

" And he who knom mi that, was born for Nothing^' 



3X ff *; 



5i-5-^^€- 



I PREPARED for the Prcfs, and to be v 

i |i 

> pubiiihed in due time the 1ft Volume of \ 

[| a Twelve Tears Experience and Viewoi sj 

j$ Men and Things, interfperfed with an- v 

| ecdotes and illuftrations, Clerical, Poli- |] 

j| tical, Medical, Mafonical and Agricul- \\ 

X "- £ 

s tural ; with jfo* Sermons, critical and s 

^ appropriate to each order: the Volume y 

V 



By WALTER CLARKE GARDINER, j 



| divided into jive parts, and dedicated to sj 

s ^/fzxr eminent charaflers, who aflifted the s| 

!$ S- 

15 author in his trials and refeaTches. c| 

f$ Citizen $ 

| of the United States of America : % 

\ - i 

\ To which is affixed s 

2 (Imported anc* Domeftic) £ 
s 



5 

A DifTertation on the amazing encreafe s 



of Mushrooms and Toad-Eaters, 



1 



To /fo Corporation <?f Trinity-Church, New-Yorjc, 

Gentlemen, 

1 HE period has arrived when it becomes necedary 
for me to requeft your attention to the following lads ; 
from which you will perceive my unwearied endeavours 
to effect an Fpifpocal E ftablifhment at Hudfon. 1 o car- 
ry into execution fo defirable event, I was influenced to 
remove from Cats-Kill, where in the exercife of medical 
practice, an opportunity prefented of maintaining my 
family with fatis faction and credit. 

After being regularly inducted the Minifter at Hud- 
fon, it was agreed as a general principle, that as I had 
come to live in the Parifh my yearly allowance fhould be 
double what it was when 1 occafionally vifited them from 
the town of Cats-Kill, viz. £ ioo. As the fum was in 
itfelf fmall, and foon discovering' from the duties of the 
place, 1 mould evince to my beloved parifnioncrs how 
juftly I ihould deferve the fum, I required no written 
agreement, but left a fenfc uJ juflice and requital on their 
own confciences. I was the more eafy on this head, 
as Doctor Talman, Warden of the Church Society, 
Hudfon, had fignined to me his intention to leave his ex- 
tenfive practice, and remove to the ci ! y of Kew-York, 
and who had, of Ms own accord, prepared me for his fuc- 
ceffor, in that line. Dr. Talman did remove, and cer- 
tainly left me in riling practice ; but the Yellow Fevcr % 
in a few weeks, induced the Doctor to return with his 
fick family to Hudfon ; and I of my own ace rd refigned 
to him the full poiTefiion of my bufinefs ; fatisfied with 
his irienciihip, and forry that his removal had been fo 
impropitious. "1 his event, Gentlemen, was the more to 
be regretted by me, as 1 had a few tlavs before the lec- 
tor's return intimated to the ( hurch people, a belief that 
from my encouragement as a phyfician, I fliould not call 
for any miniiterial fupport, till imperious necetlity made 
it expedient. Thus was I left at Dr. 1 's return, with- 
out practice and without an immediate falary ; and at 
a time too, when gy&ij exertion was in force to build a 

Church 



Church and fix an Epifcopal Eftablifhment; to encourage 
the laudable undertaking, I had declared to the fubfcri- 
bers, if they would fign generouily, I would be generous 
alfo. As I had determined to refide at Hudfon, and be- 
ing at the Epifcopal Convention at New-York, I under* 
flood that the Corporation of Trinity -Church had it in 
contemplation to make a general appropriation to the 
country churches; and from the eligible fituation of Hud- 
fon, our calculations for a generous fupport, from your 
honorable Body, was well explained and mod ardently 
expected. Our progreflive petitions to the Corporation 
correfponded to our expectations ; but the iffue proved 
we had petitioned for one favor, and we had granted to 
us another. Had my unwearied applications to your 
Body, for feveral months, been attended to, (after the 
money was loaned to me for Hudfon Church) muchpaft 
diilrefs might have been prevented me and my poor 
and tender family ; but it was the opinion of my vene- 
rable Diocefan, Bifhop Provoofl, to whom I frequently 
fubmitted my Kecords, petitions and attefled papers, 
(as the Chairman of your honorable Body) that it would 
anfwer no immediate *good purpofe to lay them before 
you. He therefore regularly returned them to me (af- 
ter, I believe confulting fome gentlemen of your Stand- 
ing Committee) and with that tendernefs and fympathy 
which as a gentleman and Chriltian he invariably mani- 
felled, always accompanied the return of the papers^ with 
a requefl that I would preferve them carefully for future 
Infpeclion. After receiving fuch documents and advice 
from Dr. Provoofl, I waited on Doctor Moore, with all 
the material papers that concerned me and the Hudfon 
Church, and left them for 24 hours for his and the Rev. 
Mr. Biflett's perufal ; that hereafter, mould it be necef- 
fary they might teftify to the identi ty of fuch papers, in my 
ultimate appeal to yourBodyorthe World for the dillribu- 
tion of the money loaned me for Hudfon Church —After 
an abfence of four years from New-York, I laft month 
pafTecl thro' the city and paid my refpe&s to Doctor Beach 
and to Bifhop Moore, they both informed me that reports 
of a very difagreeable nature were in circulation againfl my 
honor and honefly ; and that the members of the Church 
at Hudson, fpcke of me with contempt and abhorrence, 
for the manner in which I had treated their Eftablifh- 
ment. My apology to thofe gentlemen not being fatis- 

fadtory ; 



factory, I promifed Do&or Beach, and aflured Bifhop 
Moore, that whenever I had refted on my native fhore, 
with my fick family, from a long and expenfive journey, 
I would addrefs a letter to the Corporation of Trinity- 
Church, a copy of which letter I would fend them. 

As you are the only Corporate Body with whom I can 
fettle the bufmefs of the Two Thousand Dollars, it is 
a great confolotion to me, that amidft all my difirefies of 
a mental, bodily, and pecuniary nature (the certain wages 
of every gofpel Minifter) I can appeal to the hearts of 
men, who have rifen into wealth and efteem by labor 
and flerling merit in your refpective profefiicns ; and 
Tome of whom can feelingly remember how arduous 
their exertions have been, and Hill are, to gain an honed 
independence and an approving confcience. 

The following documents are from the Identical Pa- 
pers, Records, and Vouchers, that I once fubmitted to Dr. 
Provooft and Dr. Moore : the Originals are carefully pre- 
ferred, to correct any mifreprefentations, or to repel any 
unjuft accufations. In this capricious age there is no 
other way for a man to a£t, and it accords with that lure 
maxim " That the injured never forget," but that thofe 
who injure have commonly very bad memories ! 

Believing you to be the faithful guardians of property 
originally intended for " the purchafe of Glebes and for 
the fupport and accommodation of F.pifcopal Clergymen 
for the time being" that were or fhall be in union with the 
" Rites, Ceremonies and Principles of the Corporation 
of Trinity-Church" I with pleafure fubmit the fubfe^ 
quent ftatements to your confideration : 

And am, with fentiments of refpecl, 

Your much injured but faithful Servant, 

W. C. GARDINER, 



At a meeting of the Epifcopal Society at Hudfon, duly 

notified according to law, and prefent at the City-HalL 

a quorum for bufmefs, being Thurfday, Aug. 7, 1794^ 

THE act of the Legiilature of this State, letting 

Forth the manner of organizing Religious Societies being 

read, the gentlemen prefent proceeded in conformity 

thereto 



thereto, appointing by ballot two returning officers to 
receive the votes of the electors for Truftees, when 
Capt. Pel eg Thurston and 
Doctor Henry Malcolm, were chofen. 
The fenfe of the members being taken, it was una- 
niraouilv voted that the following perfons be the Truf- 
tees, William H Ludlow, John Pennoyer, David Smvb % 
Pclcg 7 button, Henry Malcolm, Thomas Harrison, John 
Hewitt, James Bmrke, and Benjamin Fairchilds. The 
Society then chofe Mr. John Powell and Dr. John Tai- 
wan, Wardens. 

At a meeting of the Fpifcopal Society of Hudfon, held 

this day by adjournment at the City-Hall, Aug. 17, 

1794. 

THK-RE being a full meeting for bufmefs, amo- 
tion then being made and feconded, that this fociety do 
give themfelves a name, as well for their own intereft 
as a due compliance to the exifting law of the ftate, by 
which the Truftees and Congregation fo named, fhall 
by fuch act and deed be deemed a body corporate, and 
have perpetual fucceflion. Accordingly the name of 
Christ- Church, Union- Church, and St. Paul's-Cburcb, 
were duly propofed. The votes being taken and count- 
ed by the Wardens, it appeared in favor of Christ- 
Church, by a majority of five. 

THE Society then refolved to unite to the doctrine 
and difcipline of the Proteflant Epifcopal- Church of the 
United States of America, as ratified in General Con- 
vention of Bifhops, Clergy and Laity, in the city of Phi- 
ladelphia, from Sept. 29, to Oct. 16, 1789. 

It was then voted and refolved, that Chrift-Church, 
Hudfon, adopt the rules and regulations of the Epifcopal- 
Church of New- York, and pay unto the Right Reverend 
Samuel Provooft all canonical obedience, and acknow- 
ledge him their Diocefan. This was done by the una- 
nimous voice of the members prtfent. 

The Senior Warden taking the chair, propofed the 
election and induction of their Minifter. The motion 
being received, it was voted and refolved unanimously, 
that the Reverend Walter Clarke Gardiner, be and he 
is hereby appointed Rector of the Epifcopal-Church of 
Hudfon. 

JFrom 






7 

From the Records, page 24, 25. 
This day (June 25, 1795) the Hev. W. C. Gardiner, 
by fpecial invitation, refided with his family at Hudfon, 
and on ^unday July 5, a meeting of the Congregation 
was held at the City-Hall, after two weeks regular noti- 
fication, for :he exprefs purpofe of reorganizing the 
F'ptfcopal Society, agreeable to a late act of the (late 
granted to the Epifcopal-Church in the ftate of New- 
York, whereby they are authorifed to elect and futf- 
flitute Veftrymen for Truflees, and o'her indigen- 
cies, under certain legal reftrictions. A lib to regularly 
induct and fettle their Minifter, appoint Veftrymen and 
Chorifter, elect their Wardens, and devife the mode of 
proceeding relative to laying the foundation of Chrift- 
Church, on the lot lately conceded to them by exchange 
with Thomas Jenkins, Lfquire, and to appoint a Com- 
mittee, in conjunction with the Minifter, to fuperintend 
the building of faid Church, and forwarding the fubferip- 
tion for the fame. 

Accordingly William H. Ludlovj, Efq. taking the 
the Chair, the Congregation nominated and unanimoufly 
Vo^ed Walter Clarke Gardiner their Minifter, during his 
and their pie af tire. 

John Powell and H. L, Hosmer were unanimonfly 
elected Wardens, and William H. Ludlow, John Pen- 
noyer, .David Smith, Peleg T&urs/on, Henry Malcolm, 
Jjhn Hewitt, James Hyatt, and Delucena Backus, were 
unanimoufly elected Veftrymen, and John Powell, Cho- 
rifter or Clerk of the Church. The Committee to fuper- 
intend the building of the Chu-ch, are for the prefent 
year. William Q. Ludlow, 

Peleg Thurston, 
James Hyait. 

1795 Auguft 6. — Records page 28. 

This day the Minifter, Wardens and 5 of the Veftry 
with the Mayor of the City, ftaked out the Lot belonging 
to the Epifcopal Society being 90 feet by 70. 

Auguft 10. This day A. M. 6, the Minifter Walter 
C. Gardiner in prefence offeveral gentlemen of the So- 
ciety laid the corner-llone of Chrift-Church Hudfon,\vith 
a fhort but heart-felt ejaculation, that Almighty God 

WOULD BLESS THE WoRK AND ADVANCE THE CHRIS- 
TIAN Religion therein ! ! *795* 



*795> Dec - 3- — 7-page 31. 
This day the Rev. Mr. Gardiner arrived at New- York, 
and agreeable to requefl of the Committee of his Churchy 
prefented the following letter to Bishop Provoost, as pre- 
sident of the Corporation of Trinity-Church. 

To the honorable the Veflry of Trinity-Church. 

Gentlemen, 
Being appointed a Committee tofuperintend the build- 
ing of a Church for the Epifcopal Society of Hudfon — » 
to report the progrefs of faid building, and theexpences 
which will arife to its being externally finifhed. — We 
have either by ourfelves or proxy, with unremitting dili- 
gence effected thedeiire of our Society in beholding the 
Edifice now covering— in having exhaufled the fums 
fubfci ibed by our anxious and zealous citizens and with 
all pofiible exactitude reported the expences to the ex- 
ternal completion to be rifingof £ 1200. 

From this report of their Committee the Society have 
renewed their defire that we would ftiil act in their be- 
half and reprefent them by petition to your Board for re- 
lief by pecuniary afTiftance, in order to nnifn their ardu- 
ous and chriflian undertaking. 

It is therefore with pleafure we addrefs you in their 
Head, from a belief of your compliance to aififl us when 
the following flatement is received, viz. That the city 
of Hudfon has this prefent year encreafed very confide- 
rably, and contains among an induflrious people, 3 orga- 
nized Religious Societies, an Epifcopal Prefbyterian, and 
that of Friends. The 2 latter have, from the donations 
of their brethren abroad and exertions at home compleat- 
ed two commodious and lightly Edifices for the worfhip 
of God. — 2dly. That the Epifcopal Society embraces a 
very diftingui fried and refpe£table portion of the eity of 
Hudfon, who have ftatedly kept up their worfhip, have 
inade ufe of great exertions among themfelves, and ex- 
naufled the means of doing more ; and now look up 
for the moil timely aid from the church of New-York. 
— 3dly. From the knowledge of the ability of Trinity- 
Church their known orthodoxy and charitable intention?? 
toward the weaker churches, who have fcood firm in the 
Epifcopal Faith, and are flriving to be more extenfively 
ufe ful.— 4th ly. From knowing, mofl certainly that your 
glinting us a moiety of your abundance will be gratify- 
ing 



ing the departed fouls in the communion of Saints, who 
originated to their everlafting praife and the churches 
glory, your funds of piety and chanty — will ftrengthen 
our hopes, revive our joy, reward our labors, adorn our 
city with a refpeclable Church and congregation, and ena- 
ble us foon to make our triumph yours ; and laftly from a 
conviction if you withdraw the fpeedy hand of pecuniary 
relief we sink to rise no more ! then will be the reign of 
faction and the triumph of slanderous unbelief We there- 
fore, honorable brethren, afk in behalf, and by defire of 
our Society for the fum of Twelve Hundred Pounds to 
nnifh our church : this fum (like water to the parching 
earth) will, with our own arrangements, fix our church 
for consecration by the firft of June next, and the rents of 
our pews will fully enable us to fupport the man, vjhose 
labor for us has already been incessant ! Our prayer, is 
gentlemen, that you will aflift us to decorate the True 
Daughter oj Zicn, and when the Father ofHEAVEM 
maketh up his Jewels may you be rewarded as faithful 
Stewards ! ! 

Being gentlemen, with great confideration. 

Your Humble Servants, 
William H. Ludlow, ) Committee 
Peleg Thurston, V of 

James Hyatt, ) Christ Church. 

Nov, 28, 1795. 

1796, January. — Kecords, page 33. 
The Rev. Mr. Gardiner fpent the molt of this month 
at New- York, in foliciting afliftance for Chrift-Church. 
Hudfon ; — and while there preached occafionally for the 
Bifhop and Clergy of Trinity-Church. He returned by 
the way of Khode-lfland, through Connecticut, to Hud- 
fon, Feb. 2 ill following, (endeavouring in that long 
route ot 300 miles, to hire fome money for Hudfon 
Church, among his friends) to meet the demand of the 
Bank at Hudfon. — — See the following letter : 

Hudson, January 12L&, 1796. 
Dear Sir, 
In expreffing the anxiety of the members of our Church 
.at large, and that of your friend Mr. Peleg Thurfton in 
particular, permit me to add my own, upon an occafion 
fo intereftmg to our mutual credit and welfare, as a reli- 
gious ibciety. — You know the atuatioa in which your 

obligation 



zo 

obligation in behalf of the Church was left— that it was 
underftood, and known to the members of the Bank 
here, that though you appeared as the drawer, the in- 
tention was that you were to be fupported by the fociety, 
and you know that their the latter's confidence in the 
promifed afliftance from New- York, in a great meafure 
emboldened their undertaking. — Your letter to Mr. 
Thurfton, dated the 2d November laft, afforded us the 
moft lively fatisfa&ion, and with pleafure we mentioned 
it to the mechanics and others ; about this time the 
Note became due, yourfelf and indorfer were abfent— 
what was to be done f— feeling for our own, and your 
individual credit, we endeavoured to prevail on Mr. 
tlifha Jenkins to become the drawer, and Mr. Thurfton 
offered to indorfe, but the former pofitively refufed, and 
Mr. Thurfton finally affirmed the note, and the whole 
amount was accommodated 'till the fucceeding period 
— fay the next fifty-four days. — ^ow, dear Sir, much 
time having elapfed fince the receipt of your letter al- 
ready mentioned, and the only one received fince your 
departure, and the Note progreifing faft to its next extent 
of credit, and a pofitive affiirance that it will not be again 
accommodated, I have to reprefentto you the feelings of 
your friend Mr. Thurfton in particular (as drawer ot the 
Note in your ftead) and to requeft that if any unforefeen 
accident, or circumfiance, has, and ftill continues co pre- 
vent your coming in perfon, with the promifed afliftance, 
that you will be fo good as to write to Mr. Thurfton 
or myfelf, and point out fome efficient means for our re- 
lief, and I truft you will not fufFer thofe of oppofite views 
(if you have it in your power to prevent it) to fneer at 
our undertaking. — Pardon the freedom with which I 
now exprefs myfelf to you — tie occafion is preifing — 
and I requeft you to believe that while my motives are 
governed by regard for the Church, they cannot be un- 
friendly to you — with compliments oi Mrs. Malcolm 
and myfelf to Mrs. Gardiner. 

I am, dear fir, 
Your affiired friend, 

Henry Malcolm. 

P. S. We have concluded if you do not arrive, or we 

do not receive fatisfa&ory information from you within 

fourteen or fifteen days, to call a meeting of the Church, 

and appoint a perfon to go to New-York,, and lay before 

the 



It 

the Corporate Body of the Church there, a ftate of our 
affairs, and entreat for their immediate aflift ance, 10 ena- 
ble us to remove our prefent embarraflments at leaft, 
and if nothing more can be done, to leave the Church 
to its fate. 

Doctor W. C. Gardiner. 

mtm - QTi - M | W | 

EASTER. 

At a meeting of the Minifter, Wardens and Veftry, and 
Congregation of Chrifl-Church, Hudfon, convened 
after due notification — being met, and having ex- 
changed the felicitations of the Anniverfary of the 
Refurrection of our mofl blefled Lord and Saviour, 
agreeable to the ancient ufage of the Apoflolical Epif- 
copal Church : — 

W E proceeded to .the choice of Wardens and Vef- 
try, for the year enfuing. — The minifter choie John 
Powell the Senior, and the Veftry, chofe Hezekiah L. 
Hofmer, Efq. their Junior Warden?— and then proceed- 
ed, in conjunction with the Congregation, and elected. 
the following Gentlemen the Veftry for the year enfuing: 
William H. Ludlow, Efquire, of Clavarack; and 
MefTrs. Peleg Thurfton, John Pennoyer, David 
Smith, Henry Malcolm, John Talman, John Hewitt, 
and James Hyatt. 

Mr. John Powell was re-elected Clerk of the Church, 
and Meffrs* Ludlow, Thurfton and Hyatt, continued 
the Committee for fuperintending the building of the 

Church. Alfo Voted and Kefolved, by this Board, 

that the above Committee be earneflly requested to call in, 
infpect and arrange, every bill, account and demand, 
againft the Church, and report to this Board at their 
next meeting. 

After the above proceedings— We adjourned sine die 9 
Witnefs, 

W. C. GARDINER, Clerk, 

At a meeting of the Minifter, Wardens and Veftry, of 

Chrift-Church, Hudfon, convened after due notice 

ift Sunday after Eafter, being April 3, 1796. 

THE above Board was called, in confequence of the 

alarming ftate of the temporalities of faid Church, and 

to devife ways and means to extricate the fame from the 

impending threatnings of the workmen and creditors of 

B faid 



12 



faid church—- to receive the report of their committee—- 
and to confult ori and fend forward a fpeedy petition 
to the Hon. the Corporation of Trinity-Church New* 
York, entreating that the money recently granted 
Chrifl-Church, Hudfon, toward the eflablifhment of a 
glebe and permanent maintainance of a pallor, may be 
immediately appropriated to pay off the workmen and 
creditors of the church, for their work done on faid build- 
ing, and money lent toward the completion of the fame. 
Accordingly Capt- P. Thurflon, and Mr. James Hyatt, 
the acting perfons ©f the Committee, reported, that as 
far as they have been able to invefligate, they are of opi- 
nion — the following flatement to be nearly the true flate 
of the debts and demands of faid Church. 

Dr. Chrifl-Church in account current with the Commit- 
tee, 

Dr. Cr. 

£ 1444 o 81 £632 11 n| 

Contingencies, 5 "17 4 Remains due, 8 17 8 1 



In full, £ 1450 00* £ 1450 o o| 

April 4th, 1796. April ^tb % 1796. 



The Committee further reported, that they have, on 
hand, materials fufficient for the compleat external finifh- 
ing of the Church, and about one-third of the infide 
thereof :— All which materials are paid for in the above 
flatement of £ 1450 o 01 ; and further the Commit- 
tee faith not. 

W. C. Gardiner, Clerk. 

Wherefore, on motion Foted, that the thanks of this 
Board be given to the Committee, for their exertion and 
expences, until better fatisfaclion can be rendered. 

Voted, That the Committee of Chrifl-Church be 
hereby author ifed and requeiled, to addrefs the Bifhop 
and Standing Committee of Trinity-Church, New- York, 
(inclofmg a copy of the above flatement and record-^— 
certified by them, and the Minifler of faid Church).and 
entreat the faid Corporation for immediate relief. 

Voted and Eefolved, That Doctor Walter C.Gardiner, 
the Minifler of faid Church, and Mr. John Kemper, lpc 
and they are hereby authorised and requefled, both or 

either 



*3 

either of them, to wait on the Bifhop and Committee of 
Trinity-Church, with the proceedings of this Board, and 
to ufe their utmoft exertion to procure immediate afiift- 
ance, and they are hereby empowered to receive all the 
monies granted by the faid Corporation to Chrift-Church, 
and to receipt for the fame, and to account to this Board 
as foon as pofiible after their return. 

The above and preceding paifed as unanimous Votes 
and Refolves of the above Board. Witnefs, 

W. C. Gardiner, Minister of said Church. 
William H. Ludlow,} 
Peleg Thurston, > Committee. 

James Htatt, ) 

John Powell, > Wardens of 
H. L. Hosmer, 5 Christ-Church. 
— -)> — 
Hudson Records — pages 4^, 42, 43. 
On the 5th April, Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Kemper 
fat off for New- York, and on the 8th prefented the fol- 
lowing letter to the Bifhop in behalf of the committee of 
their church. 
Right Reverend and Honourable Gentlemen, 

Hudson, April 5, 1796. 
WE being appointed a Committee for the completion 
of the Epifcopal Church, now building, and finding from 
an accurate arrangement of expences, the impofiibility 
of ever extricating ourfelves, and the Congregation of 
faid Church, from the embarrafsments in which we are 
refpe&ively placed, by our fanguine exertions to build 
the fame, arifmg already from an united demand of nearly 
Nine Hundred Pounds over and above our fubfeription 
and joint advancement by all poilible methods. And 
being impreffed at this time with your late generous ap- 
propriations of £ 800 for our ufe, under particular reftric- 
tions, for which, may the kind and bountiful giver of eve- 
ry good and perfect gift reward you ! Under thefe con- 
iiderations (and agreeable to the enclofed proceedings) 
we therefore moft urgently requeft, that you will conde- 
fcend to confer with the perfons who now wait on you 
with our letter and papers ; and may it be in your difpo- 
fition to appropriate the above fum to the discharging the 
debts of our Church now building, and thereby enable us 
to compleat the fame* Such is the critical fituation of 
our Parilh that in no other way will your kind donation 



14 

be of fervice to us ; but by transferring it to our more 
needy and ultimately more beneficial ufe. Without it, 
Gentlemen, we can neither have a Church, Minifter, or 
Congregation a month longer ! by now receiving it, we 
can by the rent: of the pews, effect the wiihes of our fouls 
in beholding our Church by the return of winter com* 
pleated and thereby have abundant reafon to glorify Gob 
in the Epifcopal faith and Worfhip, and blefs our earthly 
benefactors.- 

The reverend Mr. Gardiner, will from his peculiar 
and official station, communicate whatever is further ne« 
ceflary on this trying and momentous occafion of our pe- 
titioning. His assiduity, faithfulness and concern toward 
the Epifcopal Eflablifhment, at this place, can only be 
squalled by the dreadful difappointment that mull inevi- 
tably enfue to us all, in the Hon. Corporation refuting 
either to grant or loan us fufRcient to immediately dis- 
charge our pecuniary . obligations. Having too great a 
confidence in you gentlemen, to expecl a denial, and to- 
tally unable to withftand fuch an event— -We are, 
Right Reverend, 

and Hon. Gentlemen, 

Your obliged fervants, 
Committee of the C William H. Ludlow, 
Episcopal Church <Peleg Thurston, 
Hudson. (James Hyatt. 

In confequence of the above letter, and repeated £on- 
ferences with the Bifhop, Committee and influential Gen- 
tlemen of Trinity-Church, on the part of Mr. Gardiner 
(Mr. Kemper having returned to Hudfon difheartened) 
—The Corporation, by their Committee (after twice re- 
fufmg) at tail granted the fum of £800, to Chrift Church, 
Mr. Gardiner being obliged to give bonds for the faithful 
application of faid money, under a certain reftriction. 

1796, May 1 y — Records, page 48. 
A meeting of the Wardens and Vefhy of Chrift 
Church, Hudfon, being called, by requeft of the Com- 
mittee, to confer on the manner of receiving the money 
loaned to them by the Corporation of Trinity-Church, 
New-York : They affembled at the houfe of the Rev. 
W. C. Gardiner ; and after a full difcuflion of the bufi- 
nefs, the queftion was put to each gentlemen prefent 

by 



*5 

by tie Minifter, " Sir, -will you receive the money un- 
" der the ftipulation propofed by the Standing Com- 
l % mittee of the Corporation of Trinity *Ghurch, viz. 
" To fubftitute your bond, and take up mine ?" The 
gentlemen prefent, to the number of 13, individually 
refused to fubftitute their bond for the one given ; and 
the money was left in the hands, and at the discretion 
of the Minifter, W. C. Gardiner. 

A true Record : Attest, 

W. C. Gardiner, 
Rector fc? Clerk. 

1797, March 5.— Records pages 56, 57. 
At a meeting of the Minifter, Wardens and Veftry, of 
Chrift-Church, Hudfon, convened after regular notifi- 
cation at the place of worihip.— Prefent; 
Rev. Waiter C. Gardiner, Ke£tor. 
John Powell and H. L. HoTmer, Wardens. 

} John Pennoyer, David 5mith,Peleg Thurfton, 
Veftry, > John Hewitt, James Hyatt, and Henry Mal- 
} colm. 

And feveral of the Congregation. 
The above meeting was called to confer on the pre- 
fent ftate of the temporalities of the church, and to hear 
the propofals of James Hyatt, for the completion of the 
Edifice — and $lfo to appoint a committee to afcertain 
the tru& cdndifibn of affairs, by calling in, examining 
and reporting, the debts, dues and demands, by fub- 
fcription, contribution and labor, advanced on faid build- 
ing — when it was Voted, that the following perfons be 
the Committee : 
Peleg Thurfton, John Kemper & James Nixon, jun. 
It was further Refolved, That the above perfons re- 
port, by the next Sunday, leaving the Society at perfect 
liberty to accept or refufe their report, if neeefTary. 
After fome explanatory converfation, the above Board 
adjourned, to meet on the Sunday following, at the fame 
place. 

March 12 thy 1797. 
At an adjourned meeting, agreeably to a ftipulation 
at the laft-— a number of gentlemen met — but there not 
being a legal quorum for bufinefs, the fame was adjourn- 
ed sine die. 

The 



i6 

The Committee the next day lent for Mr. Gardiner, 
at thehoufe of Mr. Peleg Thurfton, and depofited with 
him the laid Mr. Gardiner, as Rector of the Church (and 
as the moft inter efted in a fettlement) all the papers, with 
an eftimate of all the real debts and demands ; to be laid 
by him, at the next regular meeting, before the Corpora- 
tion of Hudfon Church, for their approbation or rejec- 
tion ; or as documents for an ultimate fettlement with 
the Hon. Corporation of Trinity-Church, when his bond 
fhould expire in April, 1802. 

N. B. I could never get another meeting of the Cor- 
poration. 

Attest, Walter C. Gardiner, Rector. 

April 16— Easter— Held Church twice, adminiftered 
the facrament, and by previous notification, delivered 
a Farewell difcourfe, to a large and affe&ed audience, 
from thefe words, " Judge not according to the appear- 
ance, but judge righteous judgment" — In the afternoon, 
a It is expedient for you, that I go away." 

On that day, and the day following, a number of 
honeft men and pious members of the Church, and feve- 
ral others attached to my doctrines and perfon, had a 
conference with me, and moft cheerfully figned the fol- 
lowing letter ; (which letter was previoufly drawn up to 
be laid before the adjourned Meeting of March 12, for 
their signatures. J 

To the Hon. the Corporation of Trinity -Church, NewTork. 
Gentlemen, 

IT is with extreme reluctance, that the Subfcribers, 
as Wardens, Veftrymen and principal of the Epifcopal 
Society, Hudfon, do again addrefs you on the fituation 
of our church affairs, and nothing but the immediate 
profpect of the Epifcopal Eftablifhment at this place 
being near its diffolution, to the great grief of the wor- 
fhippers in that Faith, as well as to the lofs of property, 
which we as individuals, in conjunction with others, 
are about to fuflain, in confequence thereof, could have 
induced us, for the lafl time, to requeft your moft necef- 
fary afliftance. 

As individuals, we have exerted all the perfonal aid 
in our power, and have done for the Eftabliihment, by 
fabfcription and contribution^ perhaps more already than 

the 



*7 

the fituation of our growing families will juftify. The 
Rev. Mr. Gardiner has alfo exhaufted every poflible re- 
fo»rce in the bufmefs, and his unremitting fervices, either 
as'Minifler, Superintendant of the building, and accom- 
modating the debts, dues and demands, of the Eftablilh- 
ment, has caufed him to commit himfelf, as it were, in- 
evitably to expence and trouble, and has in the event 
involved him in behalf of the Church, in lawfuits and 
diftrefs, to the forrow of his friends, and perhaps irrepa- 
rable injury to his young family, in a ftrange land, re- 
mote from their near and dear connexions. 

Dodlor Gardiner, with an integrity only to be equalled 
by his invariable zeal to the Epifcopal Church, and in- 
flexible attention to us, hitherto as a fmall, but needy, re- 
ligious fociety, has declared himfelf accountable to your 
hon. body, for every dollar loaned to Chrift Church, Hud- 
fon, in 1V1 ay laft, and we believe fully able to fatisfy your 
refpeclable Committee, that the money, as will appear 
(by ' the numerous papers, records and vouchers) has 
been expended towards the liquidating the debts of the 
Church, agreeable to the fpirit of our progreflive peti- 
tions, if not in Uriel: compliance to his literal inflruclicn : 
the alarming Hate of the building, and molt prefling and 
threatening clamours of fome workmen on the Church, 
induced him on his return, to do as he did. From the 
(latements and papers, as well as from the attefred re- 
cords of our Church (which we requeft maybe infpecled 
by your Committee) it will appear, that notwithstanding 
all we have been able to procure either by fubfeription, 
contribution or loan, our Church Edifice, in its prefent 
ftate, is indebted to individuals a confiderable fum ; and 
'tis with forrow we mention it, certain workmen and 
others are now commencing fuits againft. the laid build- 
ing and Doclor Gardiner, for their refpeclive demands, 
which we are totally unable to palliate or avoid any 
longer. 

Without your affiftance Gentlemen, whatever has 
been already done will be entirely loft, and the credit 
and eftabliftiment of thePreteflant Epifcopal Church in. 
this City, with that of our unfortunate minifter will be 
entirely deftroyed, to the open and fecret triumph cf the 
enemies to religion and focial order ; but with your' im- 
mediate help, all can poffibly be reitored to its priiline 
condition and efficacy. We therefore meft ardently 

entreat 



i8 

entreat of you, Gentlemen, to grant our Minifler a hear- 
ing and conference, If not for our fakes, for him and 
his tender offspring ; and if it be not confiftent with 
the rules and regulations of your honorable bcdy to take 
the Church, with its records, Minifter and papers, under 
your fpecial protection and foftering care. — May the 
bleffed Spirit, of every good and perfect gift, influence 
you to grant a fum fufficient to difcharge our prefent 
debts, with the cod of fuits ; — or as our laft, and moll 
prefling requefl, alleviate the hopelefs condition of our 
fuffering and faithful Minifler. 

We are in behalf of the Epifcopal Eftablifhment at 
Hudfon — with every confideration of refpect 

Right Reverend and Honorable Gentlemen, 
Your Humble Servants, 

John Powell, Warden y 

John Pe^ivoyer, 

David Smith, 

John Hewett, 

John Keney, l *g 

William Rogers, » § 

David Coope, 

Benjamin Fairchild, 

John Walgrove, 






% 



RECAP ITU LA TION. 

IN the month of April 1796, die Rev. W. C.Gardi- 
ner then Rector of Chrift Church Hudfon, received of 
the Corporation of Trinity Church New- York, Two 
Thoufand Dollars to liquidate the exifling demands a- 
gainft the faid Hudfon Church : The Right Rev. Bifh- 
op Provooft, Samuel Johnfon, L. L. D. Prefident of the 
College, William Laight, Hugh Gaine and Mofes 
Rogers Efquires, being the Committee. The above 
Committee being deeply impreffed with the flatements 
and importunities of Mr. Gardiner in regard to Hudfon 
Church, granted him the faid fum of money, he being 
obliged to give bond for the faithful diiiribution of the 
fame ; although this £ 800 was originally defined for the 
maintainance of the faid Mr. Gardiner and his fuccefibrs 
as Rector of Hudfon Church, altho' Mr. Gardiner had 
not received from the Veihy and Congregation of Hud- 
fon Church, from the time of their inducting him their 
Minifler, to the April 1796 above mentioned, but about 

fifty 



*9 

Thirty Pounds, although nearly Two Years had elapfed; 
and notwithftanding the faid Hev. W. C. Gardiner was 
defired by the worthy Committee above mentioned to 
procure the bond of the Corporation of Hudfon Church, 
in lieu of his the faid Gardiner's, on their receiving the 
benefit of the faid Two Thoufand Dollars ; or elfe to ufe 
the mouey on his own, and Succefibrs behalf, his bond 
being chargeable till April 1801. Although I fay thefe 
were exifting facts, yet the faid W. C. Gardiner finding 
by the infiduous conduct of two of the a&ing committee 
(the worthy William H. Ludlow ofCavarack being free 
of cenfure ; but entitled to great praife in this bufinefs) 
that they were determined to get at the money, without 
releafmg his the faid Gardiner's Bond ; he was deter- 
mined to purchafe a houfe and 60 acres of land with 
One Thousand Dollars of the money, and pay the other 
Thousand Dollars to the diftreffed workmen on faid 
Hudfon Church. Peleg Thurflon, and James Hyatt, 
two of the acting Committee, together with Nicholas 
Hathaway (the chief Carpenter, and who had with his 
feveral journeymen agreed to do the work) — hearing 
what the faid Mr. Gardiner was determined to do with 
the 2,000 dollars (thus left in his hands, as his bond 
was not taken up :) they had frequent and officious in- 
terviews with Mr. G. and moll I'olemnly allured him, 
that on paying Ns. Hath way's bill in full, and their blils 
in part, they would all proceed with alacrity to finifh 
the Church ; when the fale of the pews would difcharge 
all further exifting debts, and the rent of the pews, and a 
subscription, give the faid Mr. Gardiner an handfome 
fupport, for his cares and fervices. — A mocking, and 
perhaps a true detail, of the confequences that would 
follow to their credit, to Mr. Gardiner's honor, and to 
the fafety of the Epifcopal eftablimment at Hudfon, — in 
cafe of a refufal, was perpetually reforted to by the above 
perfons. Mr. Gardiner at last yielded, and paid to them 
the following funis : To Peleg Thurston, Three hundred 
dollars to pay the Bank of Hudfon, and One hundred 
dollars more towards his account againfr. the Church, 
making Dolls. 400 

To Nicholas Hathaway, five hundred 
dollars, Dolls. 500 

C To 



20 



- To James Hyatt, Three hundred and 
twenty-eight dollars, Dollars 328 

and took their receipts and folemn promifes ! 

The above three perfons conducted in the following 
manner afterwards :— Mr. Hathaway took his workmen 
jrom the Church, and contracted to do the Carpenter's 
work on the Mafons* Lodge, Hudfon, and performed it 
accordingly !— Peleg T hurfton continued active, until 
he collected from the. fubfcribers, and from the Rev; Mr. 
Gardiner, fufficient money to balance his account againft; 
the Church, and then left the State: James Hyatt, al- 
though he had received Two hundred and seventy- 
uine dollars more of the Rev. Mr. Gardiner, took back 
from the place where they were depofited, materials 
fufficient to nearly balance his ju§i account againft the 
Church, and left it and the M.inifter to feek affiftance 
elfewhere !— While thefe things were tranfacting, the 
He v. Mr. G. paid away all that remained of the Two 
Thoufand Dollars, to the neceffitous and honest work- 
men on faid Ltudfon Church. On March 5, 1797, the 
Minifter. called a meeting of the Wardens and Veftry 
.(lee pa^e 15); at which meeting a Committee was ap- 
pointed ; w ho reported, to an adjourned meeting, the 
following ftatement, viz. : 
Dr. ChrifJ-Church in account with fundry perfons, 



To Nicholas Hathaway, 






Dr. 




John Pen n oyer, 


£ 


i8oq 


*5 


z 


Samuel Nichols, 


Accounts 








Peleg Thurflon, 


rendered 








Be v. Walter C. Gardiner, 


> in 








James Hyatt, 


March 6, 








John Powell, 


1797. 








William H. Ludlow, 








- 


Thomas Jenkins, &c. 


i 








By monies received by the cor 


itra per- r 




Cr. 




fons, 


£ 


1306 


9 


it 


By amount of fubfcriptions, c 


olieft- 








ed and uncollected, 




333 


29 


6 


Bv ermrs in Accounts, 




14 


10 





By Balance due* 




345 


*5 


9 




i 


i8jo 


« 










Of 



21 

Of which fums it appears in the hand-writing of James. 
Hyatt, P. Thurfton, N. Hathaway, S. Nichols, and re- 
port of the Committee of Hudfori Church, that the Rev. 
W. C. Gardiner advanced Eight Hundred and Fifty 
Eight Pounds, Four Shillings, there being in the hands of 
the committee receipts to fhew the fame. And that the 
Be v. Mr. G. had alfo been debited with fundry monies 
amounting to Eighty Pounds 9s. 3d. which Mr. G. ac- 
knowledged. At the adjourned Meeting, (fee page 15) 
the Rev. Mr. G. was anxious to fubmit his account cur- 
rent from the 4th May *794, to March 12 1797, by which 
it appeared there was due him for Minifleriai Services 
for the above period, upward of Two Hundred Pounds, 
and for expenditures of money over and above what the 
Rev. Mr. Gardiner brought from New- York, upwards 
of One Hundred Pound, making £. 319 9s nd, due 
from the Wardens and Veflry, and from the acting com- 
mittee, to the faid Mr. W. C. Gardiner, but as it was 
an adjourned meeting, and fome of the principal mem- 
bers being abfent, u for fear ^they should commit them- 
selves" Mr. Gardiner's account was not patted. After 
this a general difguft prevailed in the parifli ; tjjm more 
cunning part of the Corporate Body kept out of the way ; 
the mean and mercenary had got their demands, and 
the honeft and poorer part of the Society fuffered with 
their unfortunate Minifier. — See page 17. Executions 
took place, and the Rev. Mr. Gardiner had to fell his 
library and furniture to difcharge the demands of the 
Creditors of Hudson Church, and debts 'occafioned by his 
endeavours to ferve the people of Hudfon, - \^ 



N T E. 

In the id Vol, of a " Twelve years experience and view of Men 
and Things." — .under the article Hudson, the author will prove that 
Doctor Gardiner was not the only clergyman materially injured and 
neglected by the people of that place. Anecdotes of the late Mr. 
Thompfon and Mr. Barney two pior.s and learned rnimfters of the 
Prefbyterian Church, with the treatment they received for their un~ 
wearied end gospel labors, while at Hudi'bn, as rtUltd by tkeai^lves 
and others, will fully this. 

UnjJer the article Kew-York City zr\&Alvai\y, a few rnore^rciini- 
fiances as connected with the article Huclsc/n~v;i\\ be fairly rfitffa ed. 
^tct&imttat standetk—tcte h€td lest fe - 

TU 



22 



12 



IOO 



The Truflees, or Veftry and Wardens, of Chrift-Qinrch, 
Hudfon, in account with Walter G. Gardiner, Dr. 

May 4, 1794, to May 4, 1795. 
To my demand for falary, agreeable ) 

to firfl year's fettlement, for every > £ 50 o & 

other Sunday, j 

To Cafh expended, in palling and ) 

repaffing the N orth-River, for their > 3 15 o 

fakes, during the above period, J 

1794/ O&ober 9, 19, to May 4> 1796. 
To my expences, in attending the E- } 

pifcopal Convention at New- York, > 

Packets, boarding-houfe's bill, &c \ 
To my demand for a year's falary,*^ 

agreeably to the fenfe of a Church- j 

meeting, held June 25, 1795, and J> 

recorded in their Records, pages j 

24, 25, J 

Sept. 27. To cafh paid the Rev.^ 

John C. Ogdon, for his expences 

in coming from Troy, by requeft of \ 

my Church, to adminifler to them | 

the Holy .Sacrament, I then being ! 

a Deacon, J 

Oil, 17. 7 To my expences in jour- 1 
24. 3 neying to Catt's-Kill, 

Lonenburgh, Claverack, Kender- 

hook & Albany, by horfe, and flage 

to procure money on fubfcription, 

for building a Church, 
To my expences twice to the city of 

New- York, in the year 1795, to 

procure monies for the Epifcopal 

eftablifhment, Hudfon, and expen- 
ces there, while attending the Con- r 

vention (being days lost from Me- 
dical bufmefe, then all my fupport, 

although the time is not charged, 

but only cash advanced, J 

170& 



4 6 B 



3* 






23 



1796* To a wearifome attendance ^ 
in laying out the ground, and fu- | 
perintending the workmen on the | 
Church edifice, in the abfence and j 
by request of the ading Committee, { 
in the months of Aug. and Sept. 
and Oct. (very hot months !) to the 
lofs of time, property and health ! 
and accommodating the accounts 
and demands to the end of the year,., 

1796. To cafh paid Simeon Darien,^ 
I. Morgan, S. Coffin, Winflow Mc. 
Clean, Smith, Patterfon, Clarke, 
Row & Son, Carter, Robinfon, Vn. 
Heufen, Wells, Sharp, Scherma- 
horn/^3 12s.) Rn. Folger /^ 4) 
S. Nichols (8s.) Morrifon and N. 
Folgier ; amounting to 

To a balance due Reuben Folgier,^) 
on church account, charged to me, 3 

5 years intereft on the fame, 

Ocl:. To my note given Henry ~) 
Schermahorn for Bricks, 3 

Writ, judgment aud execution, on ^ 
me for the fame, all paid by my at- / 
torney E. Gilbert, and repaid by C 
me to him, * 

To my note in the hands of MefTrs. 1 
Reeds, for timber, &c. fold the > 
Church, by A. Mix, ) 

Five years intereft on the fame, at ? 
8 per cent. 3 

To calh paid John Pennoyer, as per ? 
receipts, 3 

To money lent him on note, with") 
6i years intereft ; the original fum j 
being £ 16. — Which money he i 
refufes to pay, he having a demand j 
againft Hudfon Church of three j 
times the fum, J 

To calh paid Nichs. Hathaway, as 
per receipts, 



40 o © 



96 2 6 



4 


IO 


3 





16 





22 


15 


3 


8 


8 


5 


24 








8 








12 


16 






24 o o 



206 5 o 
To 



120 O 

i 5 6 



24 

To cafli paid Samuel Nichols, as per ") r 
receipts, 5 & $ l l2 

To cam paid Peleg Thurfton, to- ^ 
wards his account againft the J ,■ 

church, agreeably to his own re- I 44 

ceipts, f 

To calh advanced him, to pay the "> 
Bank, 5 

To cafh for rum and nails to church ? 
and workmen, ^ 

To cafh advanced Tames Hyatt, as 7 , 

J J > 24.2 10 O 

per receipts, 5 

To a year's falary, due from Eaftfrl 

1796, to Eafter 1797, the period > 100 o o 
of my refignation, ) 

To intereft charged to me, in Auftin 

and Nixon's accounts, for my dif- 326 

ferent notes, and due-bills to them, 

for months and days over thepunc- 122 

tual time of payment, on account 

of my orders to them, in behalf of ° 5 7 

fundry workmen on Hudfon Church, 

whichrefpe&iveintereftslhavepaid, on 6 

To expences in attending the Kpif- ) 

copal Convention, by a vote of the > 8 ^o o 

church, Ocl. 2, 1796, ^ 

To 1 1 days detention and expences 
at New-York, in getting Prieft or- 
ders ; it then being considered <?s- 
sential to Hudfon eflablifnment, 6 17 8 

1797. ~) To cafh expences to New- 

Feb. 3 York, while there on be- 
half of Hudfon Church, by the par- 
ticular requeft of the principals, 946 

To my chaife, taken by execution, 
to discharge a debt of a creditor on 
Hudfon church, who held my note; 
the note being for .£ 7 7s. 6d. and 
the chaife worth £ 20, including 
the late repairs made. thereon, J 2 12 6 



To 



To ioo per cent lofs (including Fa- 
tigue, and fundry fmall caih ex- 
pences) in having my books and 
furniture feized and fold, to fatisfy 
Auftin and Nixon's Cash account 
againft ine, for paying my notes at 
Bank with intereft, balances of ex- 
ecution, &.c. &c. as per account of 
fales, and their final account current, 
Jan. 29, 1798, 105 10 3 

1797. ") To my note given to Tho- 1 

June. 3 mas Powers, for lime ad- > 22 16 8 

vanced Hudfon Church, ) 

To five years and three months ? 
intereft on do. £ 9 3 

To cam paid John Rowe h. Son, 
over and above what is already 
charged to them in my account, 
handed the Infpecting Committee, 
as afcertained in my final fettle- 
ment with A. k Nixon ; being mo- 
ney advanced them for work on 
Church, 760 



£ 1388 18 7 



To the intereft of the juft balance of 
£ 437 1 6s. 8d. due me fince July 
1, 1797 — being five years and two 
months, from faid Hudfon Church : 
for the want of which money, vari- 
ous writs, and expences of intereft 
having been laid on me from time 
to time at 8 per cent, and upwards 
(3 per cent, intereft being deduct- 
ed for the occafional intereft men- 
tioned in feveral bills and items in 
the above itatement of accounts) — 
The intereft of £ 400, for 5 years, 
at 5 percent, being only charged, £ 100 



£ 1488 1? 7 

1794. 






I 12 



%6 

Ct. 

Aug* 21. 7 By cam handed me by 7 r 

1794. 5 John Powell— Warden, 5 * Ix Xo ° 

1795. /By cafh from James Hy- 5 Jl fi 
April 21. 5 att, ^ 4 10 8 
Sept. By do. handed me by John 1 

Powell, ^ 

1796. 7 By do. received of Peleg 
Nov. 12. 3 Thurfton ; it being in ) 

part money he collected for me, in- C 2020 

eluding his account at Bank, \ 

By do. received from John Powell, 5 

20s. 24s. ^ 

By monies received on fubfeription ) 

paper, for building the Church, — > 54 16 9 

in full, ) 

By amount oflime, plank andboards, 

fold to fundry perfons, as per ac- 
count, delivered the Infpecting - 

Committee, March 16, 1797, 25 12 6 

By amount of Wm. PI. Ludlow, 

Efq'rs. fubfeription towards my fa- 

lary for 3 years, at £ 5 each year, 

cancelledbyanoteheheldagainflme, 15 o o 

By cam received from Meffrs. Fair- y 

child, 12 s. Hewitt, 24s. Malcolm, > 380 

16s. D. Cope, 8s. and Talman, 8s. ) 

£ *39 1 ** 

By money handed me, by his Lx- ^ 
cellency John Jay, towards the E- y 12 o o 

pifcopal ellablifhment Hudfon, 



£ J5 1 ■ IJ 



By money brought from New- York, 
and expended in liquidating the 
debts of Chrift-Church, Hudfon ; 
which money, after my bond is 
cancelled, will be allowed to Hud- 
fon Church, 800 



£ 95* 1 ir 
BalancedueW.Gardiner,Sept.r,j8o2, 537 l6 8 

£ 1488 18 7 



27 

The above ftatement of my Dr. and Cr. account with 
Hudibn (which I aver to be juft) and for every charge I 
have either a receipt, or a voucher ; will no doubt create 
in the minds of fuch characters as compofe the Corpora- 
tion of Trinity Church, (men of honor andofbufmefs,) 
much concern and ailonifhment ; ccncern, that they have 
allowed themfe Ives to be fo long prejudiced aga'.nft a 
Presbyter of their Church, in a money matter, in the 
clearing up of which, he and they are mutually intereft- 
ed ; and aflemzjhment, that the laid Preffjyter fhould have 
taken fo patiently the " fpoiling of his goods ;" the hav- 
ing filched from him his good name ; and the endure- 
ment for fo many years of hearing his character, defigns 
and ufefulnefs, become a bye-word of reproach and ab- 
horrence, even among thole of his own ord r and of the 
profeflional part of the world, who polfefs meddling, fuper- 
iicial or designedly detractive tempers : but all this will 
be reconciled, when your worthy body are informed, 
that the late Rector of rludfon Church, did often appeal 
to you by letter, and oftentimes as far as New- York in 
perfon : but that he found the avenue, to your paternal 
bofoms clofed. At Hudfon, the machinations of a few in- 
dividuals and the diforganized Hate of the Fpifcopal 
Eftablifhment, in confequence thereof left me no imme- 
diate remedy : and in your city, for me the tide of fuc- 
cefsful petition and explanation was too much impeded 
by defign and tardinefs for my forlorn finances. 1 there- 
fore have waited under many diitrefTes, for the expira- 
tion of that period, when my bond given to you mould 
bring me properly before you ; and I have waited like a 
man, who although feeling the heavy hand of griping 
poverty — the poignancy of infulted honor — the fneering, 
though bafe conftruction of noble and manly motives : 
(perhaps too for the bell and molt innocent actions of his 
life) — yet never could be brought for a moment before the 
time, to accommodate his temper, or facred character, 
to any clerical hypocrite, infiduous upftart, or lhamelefs 
robber, of neglected virtue or infulted integrity ! — N or 
do I wifh you to underftand me as appealing to your 
Board for any thing but what is juftly due me. For 
diftrefled individuals I have borrowed and begged, and 
felt much of the stings and arrows of outrageous i?igrates. 

D For 



28 

For fuch I have thought no facrifices of expence and fa- 
tigue too great. For myfelf and family, the fweat of my 
body and brains procures an ample fupport. — When 
fuch means fail, lihall look to no Church or Corporation 
for affiftance under Heaven. But to that Mailer who was 
made perfect thro' fufFering and who has well taught me 
what wages 1 am to expect from the World and from 
Hmv " I n the Hiflory of my own Times," which I 
am preparing for the world, I mall fliow, That theEpif- 
copal Church in many towns and villages in thefe States 
have drunk deep of the fpirit of Antichrift,andarefar from 
the "good old way" Pride, rancour, cunning, avarice and 
innovation in thefe revolutionary times may fupportapoli- 
tical machine along while, but I will prove thzmtobzw ounds 
and bfuises and putrifying sores in any Ecclefiaftical Efta- 
blifhment; efpecially inthat branch of the Church of Jefus 
fome of whofe Priefts have boafted of fo much sterling god- 
liness, and practifed fo little ! In taking your pencil gen- 
tlemen, and minuting the items of my actual cafh expen- 
ditures for the Hudfon Eftablifhment, you will readily per- 
ceive that|the 2,000 dollars borrowed of you, have not been 
applied to my benefit on earth, whatever ultimate reward 
1 may meet with in heaven. You will clearly difcover 
too, that upwards of Seventy Pounds is due to Powers, 
Folger, Reed, &c. for which I ftand refponfible. You 
will alfo find, that exclufive of the above £ 70 I confider 
myfelf injured to the amount of One Thousand Dollars \ 
in my labors for Hudfon Church. It would be infulting 
your humanity and your refources to repeat to you my 
inability ever to pay that £ 70. I leave it to be cancel- 
led by thofe who are able, and I expect a fenfe of honor 
and honefly, will induce fuch to releafe my notes and 
fend them to me. And I requeft you Gentlemen, to 
have a conference with me by your Committee, infpect 
my receipts and Vouchers, perufe the attefted records 
and certificates, and give me up my bond left with you 
in April 1797. When I confider gentlemen, that 
you have given liberally to feveral clergymen of our 
church, then refiding in the State of New-York, who by 
misfortune, by diftrefs, by duty or by age, became ob- 
jects of your munificence, what have I not a right to ex- 
pect from your juftice. For 3 years I was conftantly en- 
gaged 



29 

gaged in the fervice of the Epifcopal Church in the State 
of New- York. At Catts-Kill, Lonenburg, Batavia, New- 
Stanford and Hudfon, their records and the teftimony of 
the people will evince my facrifices, my zeal and my 
fatigue for the Church. The night, the feafon, or the 
diftance, never difcouraged me ; I bore my own expen- 
ces, preaebed my own sermons, and baptized and admin- 
iftered the Sacrament to hundreds ! young, hearty and 
active, cold, hunger and fatigue, foon found arecompence 
in the pleafure of aflifting Chriftians, and making profe- 
lytes to Chriflianity. At lail I condensed my minifterial 
duty to the City of Hudfon, and fpent all I could poihbly 
gain, by medical business and by domestic frugality, by 
borrowed money, by contributions or fubfcriptions to that 
ungrateful Society. 

As I had made great and apparently fure calculations 
of the building being foon finiflied, I fell into the fnare 
laid forme by P. Thurfton, Hyatt and Hathaway ; for 
perceiving an end, as I thought, to my anxious and wea- 
rifome labors for the Society, very naturally felt refpon- 
fible for the honor of the eftablifhment, and gradually 
made myfelf accountable for the general accommoda- 
tion of the whole bufmefs. What a fad profpect was 
this for me, who had made it my fuperior pleafure and 
my duty, from the manner settled, to aid, to aflift and to 
edify them, to experience at once fuch a referve of con- 
dition ; at a time too, when my small salary lay unalked 
for, and while indefatigable in exhaufting every refource 
for their profperity and future happinefs. 

When things went on well, I could not walk the ftreets 
or afcend the pulpit, without their fmiles, their praifes 
and benedictions ; as events turned I was left a prey to 
my own reflections, a victim to the mercenary and eva- 
five, and in u perils among false brethren" When I 
requefted you, Gentlemen to grant money to liquidate 
the debts of Hudfon Church, rather than for the purchafe 
of a Glebe-Houfe and Lot, for myfelf as Minifter : I was 
willing to overlook my own demands, nay to forget my- 
felf, in the ftrong defire of eftablifhing a Congregation of 
Churchmen : but I was moil egregiouily difappointed ; 
confiding in human nature with little circumfpe&ion, 
and in pursuing the shadow, Ijst the Substance f 

May 



3? 

May God and his Chrift at the awful but neceflary 
judgement, reward all faithful Minifters, with the fight 
of their gofpel labors, and give to the voluptuous and 
ilothful the bare retrospect of the victims of their neglect 
and hard-heartednefs ! 

For one, whofe family and felf have naturally been in 
the habit of relieving the diftrefled ; whofe . manfion has 
been the receptacle of the fatherlefs, the flranger, and the 
Chrlflian pilgrim; whofe heart and talents (fuch as they 
are) have been devoted to religion and his native coun- 
try; now to entreat a liberal and wealthy Society, in New- 
York, to make up to him voluntarily ; what he mail other- 
wife demand of a branch of their Society, to make up to 
him necessarily ; is among thofe myfterious events to 
which human beings are connected, and who are from 
the imperious changes of life-occafionally the objects of 
poverty or meagre wretchednefs and want. As I never 
fued or diilreffed an individual in my life, much more a 
Society, permit me to repeat the urgency of my being 
an immediate object of your justice ; and among thofe 
mftances of Ministerial suffering, where pecuniary relief 
only can be ferviceable from the manner it is prefented 
and the specdiness of the application. 

I befeech you, gentlemen, to believe me, when I af- 
fure that I am now waiting in your city, at confiderable 
expence, to have this matter decided, either by the law 
or the means you may point out — if infult is to be added 
to ingratitude, and former ill treatment to be renewed 
from Hudfon ; or if neglect and contumely await me 
from your quarter ; autcesar, aut nillus ; ismydefiiny! 
— We live in revolutionary times ! my part is to act, as 
well as to fuiTer ; and if I become the inftrument, under 
Ileaven, to develope individuals, forieties or fyflems, 
with whom I have been connected, to an aftonifhing 
woild — remember it is done to justify myself, and 
act the pari of a true historian. I therefore appeal to you, 
gentlemen, by all thofe powerful motives that actuate 
the faithful ilewards of money, originally given to be ap- 
propriated to the aid of fuffering Minifters and Congre- 
gations of our Church- -by thofe gieat — thofe good prin- 
ciples, that afFect the tender parent, the Chriftian, or good 
•citizen, that you delay not to return me my bond, and 

make 



3X 

make good in fome ttieafure my pecuniary injuries for 
the advances and fervices while refiding at Hudfon. 

With great respect— *1 am, your much injured, but faithful servant in Christy 

WALTER C. GARDINER. 

APPENDIX. 
Mr. Gardiner, having collected from fome refpe&a* 
ble confidential friends that his enemies had been in- 
duftrious in different parts of the U. States to make him 
out, as an Impoftor and excommunicate, as eccentric 
and vindictive, as mean and illiterate : and that he aflum- 
ed profeffions occafionally, as caprice or misfortunes dic- 
tated—thinks it his duty to fubjoin the following certi- 
ficates. They probably will cut off occafion from thofe 
who defire occafion to " wag the bead" of flander and 
" shoot out" the cowardly tongue of fly detraction. 

No. i. From a Committee of the Pariih where he was 

born. 
At theGlebe,Oct. 17th, 1790- 
Sir, 
HAVING been for too long a time without the bene- 
fit and afliftance of a Miniiler, to procraftinate any lon- 
ger our intentions to declare to you our unanimous and 
fincere wifhes. — In confequence of which we have con- 
vened at the Glebe of St. Paul's Church, on this twen- 
tieth Sunday after Trinity, and from our united good 
opinion of your character and abilities, together with the 
knowledge of your paft and continued deportment and 
application in the facred and worthy ftudy of divinity, 
have agreed to prefent you with thefe our candid fenti- 
ments and fervent requeft, viz. That you will (if agree- 
able to yourfelf) take the molt fpeedy meafures to facili- 
tate and expedite your Ordination, that you may, agree- 
ably to our wifhes, prefide over and take charge of St. 
Paul's Church in Narraganfet, and do whatever may by 
you be deemed confident towards the completion of this 
our defire. 

We are, in behalf of the Parifh, yours, &c. 
John Gardiner, George Brown, 

/Wm. R Robinson, S. Gardner, 
John Cole, Row. Brown, 

Sam. Bkenton, Freberick Gardiner* 

No. 2, 



3* • 

No. 2. — Medical. 
Ihls may certify, that Walter Clarke Gardiner, Physician, 
being about to remove from this State, has applied to us 
for such credentials as we think proper. 
WE therefore with much freedom can inform, that he 
-has ferveda regular term of years to the profeflion, and 
has been feveral years in the practice. From his general 
information, and good character, we can recommend him 
to the patronage and confidence of the Citizens, where- 
ever he may chufe to refide. 

1 Jon. Easton, jun. 
Medical - Society, vIsaac Senter, M. D. 
) Benjamin Mason. 
Newport, Nod. 4, 1793. 



No. 3. — Clerical. 
BY the tenor of thefe Prefents, be it known unto all 
men, that We Samuel Pro vooft, by Divine permiffion 
Bifhop of the Proteftant Epifcopal Church, in the State 
of New-York, folemnly adminiftring Holy Orders under 
the Prote&ion of Almighty God, in St. Paul's Chapel, 
New- York, on Wednefday, the twenty- fixth day of Octo- 
ber, in the Year of our Lord One Thoufand Seven Hun- 
dred and Ninety-Six, did admit into the Holy Order of 
Priefts, our well beloved in Chrift, Walter Clarke Gardi- 
ner, of whofe virtuous and pious life, and converfation'and 
competent learning and knowledge in the holy Scrip- 
tures, we were well auured, and him the faid Walter 
Clarke Gardiner, did then and there rightly and canon- 

ically ord?dn a pried, he having firfl in our prefence made,.: 
-the fubfeription required by the' general EcclefiafticatT 
-Conilitution. 

In Witness whereof we have caused our Episcopal Seak, 

to be hereunto affixed, dated the day and year above-wrhtm 
.and in. the tenth year, of our consecration. 

SAMUEL PROVOOST. 

No. 4. t— Local. 
WHEREAS the Rev. Walter Clarke Gardiner, hav- 
ingbeen unanimoufly elected the Rector of Chrift Church 
Dover, and difcharged the duties of his palloral office 
faithfully to the period of his refignation ; we hereby 
certify that we have a perfonal efteem for the faid Mr. 

Gardiner, 



33 

Gardiner, do part with him with regret, and moft fmcere- 

ly wifh him health and profperity. 

Henry Mcllesicn, Warden. 
Thomas Rodney, 
John Vining, 

John Brinckle, Vestrymen 

William Warner, I of 
Simon W. Wilson, j ^Christ Cb'h 
John Clarke, Dover. 

George Truitt, j 

Charles Hillyard. J 

In Convention, East on, June n, 1802. 
On motion — voted unanimously, 
THAT the thanks of this convention be prefented to 
Doftor Gardiner for his excellent Sermon, delivered, a- 
greeably to requeft, and that he be requefted to oblige 
the Convention with a copy for the Preis. 

Attest, D. BALL, President. 
A. KEMP, Sec'y. 

To all iv be m it may concern, greeting. 
THROUGH a negled of the Maryland Delegation 
to the laft General Convention, the Keverend Walter 
C. Gardiner's name was omitted in the Lift of regular 
officiating Clergymen of this State. I think it a duty 
incumbent on me, and with pleafure I do it, to declare 
that Dr. Walter C. Gardiner, has been regularly and 
permanently inducled into the Parifh of Coventry, of the 
County of Somerfett, State of Maryland ; that as a Min- 
ifter, and as a man, his general conducl has been regular, 
laudable, and highly acceptable ; the Epifcopal Church 
has, under his care and direction, acquired a confiftency 
and dignity hitherto unknown in the Parifh, and that a 
general diffufion of religious knowledge and a confequent 
amelioration of morals, appear to have flowed from his 
labours in the miniflry : and that his parifhioners are 
generally anxious for his return. My perfonal and in- 
timate acquaintance with him, and my vicinity to his 
parifh allow me to fpeak thus pofitivelv. 

DAVID BALL, 
Rector of All- Hallows Parish, and President of the last 

State Convention at Easton, Maryland. 
July 19, -1802. 



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